How much is a wheelchair?

sparky023

Registered User
May 16, 2010
67
0
Hull, East Yorkshire
My Mum is 7 years post diagnosis, and is 100% reliable now on her carers. She is lifted by hoist from her bed, into a chair and again into an armchair at present.
I have been told that she is now deemed too unsafe using other people's wheelchairs and she needs her own to be measured up for etc. (She leans over the side of others she uses).

What should I expect to pay for one?
 

marionq

Registered User
Apr 24, 2013
6,449
0
Scotland
Locally the NHS give them free if you are referred to them. I have seen them in charity shops for £25 but if she needs to be measured then you want the real thing.
 

LadyA

Registered User
Oct 19, 2009
13,730
0
Ireland
I've no idea, Sparky. Is your mum at home or in a nursing home? I don't know how the "system" works over there, but here, the public Health Nurse (District Nurse, in the UK) would refer an Occupational Therapist out to assess your mum, and then the wheelchair would be provided by Community Care, which is under the Health Service.
 

sparky023

Registered User
May 16, 2010
67
0
Hull, East Yorkshire
I've no idea, Sparky. Is your mum at home or in a nursing home? I don't know how the "system" works over there, but here, the public Health Nurse (District Nurse, in the UK) would refer an Occupational Therapist out to assess your mum, and then the wheelchair would be provided by Community Care, which is under the Health Service.

My Mum is in a care home. I've been told it is something that has recently come in, that if someone needs a new wheelchair, we cannot get one on the NHS but we would have to fund it. I understand approaching the GP for a referral is the first port of call, but I am unsure.
 

Slugsta

Registered User
Aug 25, 2015
2,758
0
South coast of England
In our area, the person needing the wheelchair is assessed and then given a voucher towards the cost. The patient/family then has to source the wheelchair and pay the extra themselves. I am told that the voucher does not go a long way towards paying for anything other than a basic, 'off the shelf' chair!
 

Aitchbee

Registered User
Nov 3, 2013
87
0
Mum was referred to the local NHS wheelchair service. They provided her with one that has a headrest and that can be tilted back. It is much better and sturdier than her previous one and means that she can comfortably sit in it for a few hours if needed.
 

sparky023

Registered User
May 16, 2010
67
0
Hull, East Yorkshire
Mum was referred to the local NHS wheelchair service. They provided her with one that has a headrest and that can be tilted back. It is much better and sturdier than her previous one and means that she can comfortably sit in it for a few hours if needed.[/

Thank you. My Mum only uses one to move from room to room and to sit at the dining table for meals. We would love to be able to move her into the garden on sunny warm days for an hour or so when we visit.
 

Mal2

Registered User
Oct 14, 2014
2,968
0
Enfield
Mum was referred to the local NHS wheelchair service. They provided her with one that has a headrest and that can be tilted back. It is much better and sturdier than her previous one and means that she can comfortably sit in it for a few hours if needed.[/

Thank you. My Mum only uses one to move from room to room and to sit at the dining table for meals. We would love to be able to move her into the garden on sunny warm days for an hour or so when we visit.

Our Council only supplies basic w/chairs. I bought one on eb a year old for £250, 4 months ago. and purchased a couple of accessories, food tray and side supports to stop leaning to the sides, from manufacturers. New ones are in the region of £1400.
Ideal for outings, took my husband to Hampton Court Sunday in it, as it reclines and raises his feet, he was able to have a comfortable nap.
 

sparky023

Registered User
May 16, 2010
67
0
Hull, East Yorkshire
Our Council only supplies basic w/chairs. I bought one on eb a year old for £250, 4 months ago. and purchased a couple of accessories, food tray and side supports to stop leaning to the sides, from manufacturers. New ones are in the region of £1400.
Ideal for outings, took my husband to Hampton Court Sunday in it, as it reclines and raises his feet, he was able to have a comfortable nap.

Thank you
 

Aitchbee

Registered User
Nov 3, 2013
87
0
Hi Sparky. Only just noticed that you are from Hull - which is where I live with Mum. It is about a year ago that we got the wheelchair for Mum. The NHS contracted out the wheelchair service to Blatchfords but it is still an NHS service. I would definitely contact your Mum's GP for a referral or contact them direct on 0344 8936375.
 

sparky023

Registered User
May 16, 2010
67
0
Hull, East Yorkshire
Hi Sparky. Only just noticed that you are from Hull - which is where I live with Mum. It is about a year ago that we got the wheelchair for Mum. The NHS contracted out the wheelchair service to Blatchfords but it is still an NHS service. I would definitely contact your Mum's GP for a referral or contact them direct on 0344 8936375.

Thank you very much x
 

Kevinl

Registered User
Aug 24, 2013
6,050
0
Salford
If you're after a daytime wheelchair then I doubt the home or the LA will pay for it, generally anything the LA/NHS will supply for home use will be available in a care home but the big, personally made chairs aren't (as far as I know) supplied by the home, NHS or LA.
As you say "she needs her own to be measured up for etc" then there maybe a case for saying this is a medical need, but when you say "We would love to be able to move her into the garden on sunny warm days for an hour or so when we visit." are the NHS/LA supposed to pay out £2.5k for a personalised chair just for these occasions?
I don't mean that in a bad way but if the home has said she needs a specialist chair (and here I would ask why is she using "other people's wheelchairs") surely the home has their own chairs suitable for the transport of all the residents they cater for.
I asked today how you get these chairs but the staff just told me the home manager sorts it, no one knew who paid, I'll ask the manager tomorrow if I see her.
If I want a wheelchair in the home (sometime my wife needs one) I just go to the equipment room and get one, some have higher armrests and combined with a thinner cushion that's more suitable for someone who leans a bit, standard cushions and a normal chair are suitable for most people.
I understand your mum is in a care home so I'd expect them to tell you what the alternatives are, and (if like my wife) she's with the home's GP then I'd expect them to do the referral to the appropriate possible funding source, should their be one.
K
 

marionq

Registered User
Apr 24, 2013
6,449
0
Scotland
As an addition to my earlier post I have now found that not only do the NHS supply and repair wheelchairs through a contract with Westmark but if you want an alteration or exchange they deal with it. I have requested big wheels instead of four small wheels as I am struggling to push any distance. I have been old they will deal with that.
 

Risa

Registered User
Apr 13, 2015
479
0
Essex
Thank you. My Mum only uses one to move from room to room and to sit at the dining table for meals. We would love to be able to move her into the garden on sunny warm days for an hour or so when we visit.


If your Mum only needs the chair to move her from place to place and won't be sitting in it for extended periods, is a specialist wheelchair really necessary? I got one for my Mum last week from Complete Care website. It is lightweight and cost £129.95 - we have 14 days to try it out and then return it if doesn't suit. There were higher spec ones available and also seat cushions, torso supports and safety belts (although the one we ordered came with one).